Author: popupbayarea

FREE: Art, Music & Conversation with Kaja Renkas & Megan Keely Friday, September 28th

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On Friday, September 28th we’re hosting an informal FREE event at the Haight Street Art Center: Art, Music & Conversation with Kaja Renkas & Megan Keely

Join us for a FREE evening of art, music and conversation while being treated to an exclusive exhibit by Polish graphic designer and poster artist Kaja Renkas with musical accompaniment by the Bay Area’s own Megan Keely. RSVP on our Facebook page or on our Patreon page.

Take in the stunning artwork of Kaja Renkas while enjoying happy-hour between 6-7pm courtesy of 21st Amendment Brewery and Whetstone Wine Cellars. This will be followed by an intimate musical performance by Megan Keely.

Kaja Renkas is part of the long tradition of Polish poster artists. After receiving her doctorate she moved into an area of poster creation loosely based around surrealistic collage, working in the digital environment. The work of Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam comes to mind when viewing Renkas’ posters, a Surrealist collage, arising, in part, from the intellectual anarchy of Dada and related early twentieth century movements.

Megan Keely is a San Francisco-based songwriter and vocalist who has dedicated her latest musical efforts towards immigration and women’s rights, transforming personal calamity into transcendent growth on her latest studio album “Bloom.”

Howlin’ Rain + The Easy Leaves In Song & Conversation Thursday, October 4th

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Renee & Irish Greg’s Pop Up turns two and we celebrate with our Third Annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Pre-Party at the Haight Street Art Center, Thursday October 4th starring Howlin’ Rain and the Easy Leaves.

We are charging a nominal fee of $8 to stop the rash of no-shows which have been a problem at our once free events. Money raised will go to non-profits Blue Bear School of Music and the Haight Street Art Center.

Purchasing a ticket entitles you to a complimentary adult beverage courtesy of our sponsors 21st Amendment Brewery and Whetstone Wine Cellars. An original event poster by Marq Spusta will be available to purchase with the artist on-site to embellish it. These posters are collectors items and VERY special indeed.

If you are a patron of ours on Patreon at the $5 level there is no need to purchase a ticket. Simply RSVP here. Patrons get to bring a guest at no extra cost. Become a Patron!

Enjoy the amazing rock poster art exhibit “Family Devalues” at our happy-hour from 6-7pm before we take the party upstairs for performances and interviews with Bay Area bands Howlin’ Rain and the Easy Leaves.

Oakland, California’s Howlin Rain recently released The Alligator Bride, their fifth LP of swampy, ragged, unapologetic rock ’n roll. Led by Ethan Miller, it’s their first release on Silver Current Records, the artist-run label owned by Miller, and gleefully indebted to classic rock formations like the Grateful Dead’s Europe ‘72 and Free’s masterpiece of atmospheric, minimalist blues, 1969’s Fire and Water. “The guiding principle for The Alligator Bride was to create ‘Neal Cassady Rock,’” says Miller. “Which is to say, high energy, good-times adventure music, driving the hippie bus, shirtless and stoned, up for four days straight, and extremely fuzzy around the edges.”

The Easy Leaves are proud ambassadors of California Country & Western music; who over the course of 2 full length albums and 2 EPs, under the guidance of Merle Haggard’s music, and countless other barroom heroes, have released their own unique collection of poetry for the common man.

The pairing of these two acts is reminiscent of the late 60’s and early 70’s in Austin, TX, essentially what Willie Nelson was creating there, as well as many shows at famed venue, the Armadillo World Headquarters – Where the outlaws, outcasts, hippies, honky tonkers, freaks, and forward thinkers converged in harmony for a plethora of music happenings; you could see Willie Nelson, Doug Sahm, Waylon Jennings and other Country troubadours playing shows alongside folks like The Grateful Dead.

FREE: Lee Conklin + New Chambers Brothers in Song & Conversation

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Join us at the Haight Street Art Center at 6pm for happy-hour while enjoying the artwork of Lee Conklin. At 7pm we’ll move upstairs for an interview with Lee and a performance by the New Chambers Brothers.

Throughout its remarkable 50-year span, Lee Conklin’s career has been well regarded as an essential contribution to the psychedelic poster art movement. Well known for imaginative vision and inventive lettering, this work demands and rewards prolonged, patient exploration. Perhaps his best known work is the cover of Santana’s first album but he also did posters for the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and the Chambers Brothers.

These posters often offer voyages—visual trips—containing hidden messages, elements and value that reveal gradually and perhaps unintentionally. According to Conklin, “I just start drawing … and sometimes it turns into something.”

Lester and Dylan Chambers continue the tradition of the Chambers Brothers, a band best known for their eleven-minute 1968 hit “Time Has Come Today”. The group was part of the wave of new music that integrated American blues and gospel traditions with modern psychedelic and rock elements. Their music has been kept alive through heavy use in film soundtracks.

FREE: KWMR Block Party, Sunday August 12th, Point Reyes Station

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We are thrilled to be co-hosting the KWMR Block Party on Sunday August 12th at Point Reyes Station under the parachute in Love Field where Sir Francis Drake meets Highway One.

Bring the whole family for a fun afternoon of music, BBQ and sunshine in beautiful West Marin.

This event is FREE! More info: KWMR.ORG

LIVE MUSIC with Red Meat PLUS The Haggards.
Also, KWMR’s own DJ Barbarella!

BBQ, Beverages, Ice Cream, Raffle, and FUN!

Thanks as usual to our amazing sponsors 21st Amendment Breweryand Whetstone Wine Cellars.

John Oates In Song & Conversation Monday August 6th 6-9pm

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John Oates is a legend. As half of Hall and Oates he has sold an estimated 40 million records, they are best selling music duo of all time and are members of the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. Get your tickets HERE.

Join us for this rare intimate performance and interview at the spectacular Haight Street Art Center. What an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with one of music’s biggest hitmakers.

Enjoy a 6-7pm happy-hour looking at the work of famed San Francisco rock poster artist Lee Conklin before heading upstairs to take a peek at the permanent Grateful Dead exhibit on your way into the John Oates Q&A and performance.

As usual, patrons of our show at the $5 a month level get in FREE (plus guest) with one complimentary adult beverage. This is the best deal in town. Join us on Patreon NOW!

This is benefit for the Crown Guitar Music Festival and requires the purchase of a ticket for non-patrons. Due to the very regrettable amount of no-shows at recent events we have no choice but to charge a very reasonable fee to attend.

More about John Oates as a solo performer: He continues to tour with Daryl Hall, still selling out arenas, but he maintains a solo career as well, focusing mainly on his love of roots and country music. His latest album “Arkansas” started life as a tribute to Mississippi John Hurt but evolved into a broader ode to Southern music: “This great tradition…It’s the story of rural America. It’s the story of working people. It’s a story of heartache, and these are simple, direct stories that are universal. That’s what interests me so much – this is the dawn of American popular music before big band or rock n’ roll, and that’s what I think makes this period of time really unique.”

2nd Annual Dog Dance Party & Crazy Canine Contest, Saturday July 21st, 21st Amendment Brewery, San Leandro

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Rocco & Pirate cordially invite you and your well behaved human to Renee & Irish Greg’s Pup Up 2nd Annual Dog Dance Party & Crazy Canine Contest at the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Leandro, Saturday July 21st from 12:30-3:30pm. This a benefit for Rocket Dog Rescue. No pooch required but the more the merrier!

Music by Tom Luce AND the Jefferson Airdale (feat. Dick Bright + Al and Tommy of the Rubinoos.) Dance with your dog to such canine classics as “Fly Like a Beagle”, “I Want a New Pug”, “S-P-C-A” and many more. Tom will be performing the Luce tunes “Buy a Dog”, “Good Day” and many more.

Crazy Canine Contest with fabulous prizes for Best Tail, Cutest Nose, Highest Jumper and Worst Attitude.

Enjoy delicious beer and food truck eats and lots of cool water for the dogs.

FREE to patrons at the $5 level (+ guest.) Otherwise You must purchase a $5 Eventbrite ticket to attend. This nominal fee is to stop the increasing problem of no-shows.

 

Blue Bear School of Music Benefit With Elettrodomestico Featuring Jane Wiedlin Of The Go-Go’s Thursday May 17th

elettroA Special Edition of Renee & Irish Greg’s Pop Up featuring:
Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) & Pietro Straccia

Tickets available HERE

Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) & Pietro Straccia are psych-pop’s Elettrodomestico and they will be the featured guests on Renee & Irish Greg’s Pop Up on Thursday, May 17th, at the Haight Street Art Center in SF. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as HEAD OVER HEELS, the fearlessly fresh new musical comedy from music legends The Go-Go’s, will have just finished its run at the Curran Theatre. This will be a chance for you to enjoy an intimate evening of music and conversation surrounded by fantastic EMEK X Rock ‘n’ Roll inspired poster art in the gallery. Thanks to Blue Heron for providing the food, 21st Amendment Brewery along with Whetstone Wines will be free flowing, and we invite you to participate in an amazing silent auction featuring:

3 Day Passes to SOLD OUT Bottle Rock Napa Valley

3 Day Pass to Steve & Kate’s Camp

Rock ‘n’ Roll memorabilia

Fine Wine

The Evening:
5:30pm: doors
6:00pm: VIP reception with food, wine & beer, silent auction
7:15pm: Welcome, special guest performance by Blue Bear’s own Periodic Table of Hellaments!!
7:30pm: Intermission, silent auction closes
8:00pm: Featured guests Jane Weidlin & Pietro Straccia
9:30pm: Thank you, good night!

George Porter Jr. & Friends Benefit Concert May 24th Whetstone Wine Cellars Napa

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We are delighted to be co-hosting this wonderful event.

Join us in thanking our first responders with an intimate performance by the progenitor of funk, the Meters’ George Porter Jr., at the historic Whetstone chateau! Enjoy a welcome reception with wine, beer, and bites from our local artisans followed by a silent auction.

All proceeds go to First Responder Resiliency, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting and enhancing the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of first responders, any of whom risked their lives during the recent Wine Country Fires.

Thursday, May 24th at 5:00pm
1075 Atlas Peak Road, Napa CA
General Admission & VIP Packages Available

Space is limited, so buy your tickets now!

FREE: Jerry Day Benefit Featuring David Gans & Roger McNamee Tuesday June 19th

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The event is FREE but you must have an Eventbrite ticket to attend.

This podcast taping is a benefit for Jerry Day, the annual FREE event in San Francisco’s McLaren Park that celebrates the life of the Grateful Dead‘s Jerry Garcia who grew up nearby in the Excelsior District.

David Gans is an acclaimed musician, journalist and broadcaster who hosts the wildly popular Grateful Dead Hour syndicated radio show. He has played with various members of the Grateful Dead family of musicians over the years as well as continuing to perform solo.

Roger McNamee plays guitar and sings in Moonalice and the Doobie Decibel System and wrote the hit song “It’s 4:20 Somewhere.” Roger is a longtime fan and associate of the Grateful Dead.

Dennis McNally was the publicist for the Grateful Dead and the band’s authorized biographer. He is the author of “A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead” and “Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, The Beat Generation & America.”

Before the show, join us for complimentary drinks courtesy of 21st Amendment Brewery and Whetstone Wine Cellars at our 6-7pm happy hour. While sipping your adult beverages you’ll get to enjoy some vintage original poster art spanning the Grateful Dead’s long career.

Photo courtesy of Jay Blakesberg Photography

FREE: Sam Chase + David Luning + Mickelson + Poster Art Exhibit

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Get your FREE tickets here

Before the show, join us for complimentary drinks courtesy of 21st Amendment Brewery and Whetstone Wine Cellars at our 6-7pm happy hour. While sipping your adult beverages you’ll get to enjoy the exhibit ARTIFACTS: The Rock Art of EMEK – A Career Retrospective. Emek has created much coveted posters for musicians such as Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie, The Pixies and Paul Simon. There is also a smaller exhibit of work by Ralph Steadman including the original art he drew to accompany Hunter S. Thompson’s Rolling Stone article “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

“After The Fire: Vol. 1” is a compilation produced Bay Area artist/producer Mickelson. It features 15 new recordings by many of the top singer/songwriters in the Bay Area including Sam Chase, David Luning and Mickelson himself. We will pass a hat and sell CDs at the event and all sales go to those affected by the devastating Northern California fires.

Sam Chase has a voice like a nun on the lam with a mouthful of cigarettes and curse words in a lonely bar, drunkenly dancing next to a broken jukebox. His songs are scribbled, not written, on lipstick and sweat stained motel bedsheets because he likes the way the ink bleeds. His guitar runs on diesel and leaks like the morning after too much Whiskey. His is a show you’ll probably want to tattoo on your body so everyone will know that you knew him before he was cool.

Forestville singer and songwriter David Luning has been working long enough and hard enough that any day now, as the old show business joke goes, he’s about to become an overnight success.Luning, 30, born and raised in Sonoma County, gave his first performance at a piano recital when he was 5 years old, and music turned out to be his lifelong pursuit.Long popular on the local club and festival circuit, he drew national attention with his televised “American Idol’ audition three years ago, and while he didn’t win, he accomplished his goal. He raised his own profile and graduated to a new level of polish and professionalism.

Through a career that spanned five full-length releases with his band Fat Opie, a struggle with a long-term illness and a career as a children’s book author and fine artist, Mickelson has persevered. In 2015, Mickelson released his debut full-length Flickering which made the Grammy Ballot in two categories, “Best Folk Album” and “Best Roots Music Performance”. His new full length album “A Wondrous Life” will be released May 4th.